Valerie June: Owls, Omens and Oracles review – a soul-recharging exercise in radical positivity
The Tennessee singer-songwriter’s joyful new album pushes back against the bleakness of doomscrolling
Pulp: Spike Island review – Jarvis Cocker and co’s joyous second coming
The anthemic lead single from the band’s first album in 24 years casts a wary eye over their peak 90s fame – but also suggests that performing is irresistible
2hollis: Star review – sounds like the internet and bound for stardom
An underground phenomenon since his teenage years, Hollis Frazier-Herndon feels like a male Charli xcx about to take off
Ed Sheeran: Azizam review – a cross-cultural Persian experiment … which sounds incredibly English
After a couple of earthy, rootsy albums, Sheeran emphatically returns to pop with another of his indelible hooks, surrounded by Middle Eastern instrumentation
Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong review – revamped alt-rockers take a newer, weirder road
After losing their frontman, the band’s third studio album shows how resilient and adaptable they are, with luscious melodies, fantastical lyrics and lots of recorders
Cyndi Lauper review – 80s pop eccentric hasn’t changed a bit
Her farewell tour is a pockmarked history of her roots and wide-ranging influences, full of her trademark elan and vigour
Usher review – glitzy Vegas-style spectacle is completely preposterous and preposterously entertaining
From rollerskating around the stage wearing a union jack suit to feeding cocktail cherries to women in the audience, Usher wears middle age incredibly well
Perfume Genius: Glory review – full of energy and biting nuance
Consummate chronicler of 21st-century sensuality Mike Hadreas returns to his indie roots on a convivial seventh album stalked by death and desire
Yukimi: For You review – sweet solo debut for Little Dragon singer
Yukimi Nagano’s first record without the Swedish synth-pop band is a light but pleasurable affair
Liz Stringer: The Second High review – an intelligent, assured album from a singular musician
All but ignored by the mainstream, Stringer seems unconcerned by wider radio play, with her seventh album for patient and attentive listeners
Lucy Dacus: Forever Is a Feeling review – Boygenius singer turns timidly tasteful
The Virginia songwriter gets lost in understatement on a loved-up album about her relationship with bandmate Julien Baker, shrouding sharp lyrics in shy melodies
Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism tour review – momentous show for a star who contains multitudes
Lipa’s voice is resonant and fit and she holds her own as a dancer; while there are lulls in energy between the show’s acts, they’re forgiven when she brings the hits
FKA twigs review – an eye-popping extravaganza of dancing and demons
The ever out-there British artist tours her latest album, Eusexua, with a show whose mix of club vibe, winged beast props and prime back catalogue delights and confounds
John Cale review – 83 years old and still forging deeper underground
There’s no slowing down for the avant art-rock octogenarian as he forgoes predictability to showcase the staggering breadth and depth of his songcraft
Japanese Breakfast: For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) review – a bit too tasteful
Michelle Zauner addresses big themes on her band’s fourth album, but her sharp writing isn’t best served by wistful arrangements